hinzke



A. G. HINZKE.

MANUFACTURE OF BISULFITE LIQUORS.

APPLICATION FILED M AY 4,1916- RE NEWED MAR. 12,1919.

Patented May 1, 1918 2 SHEETSSHEET L.

avwenfoz A. G. HINZKE. I

MANUFACTURE OF BISULFITE LIQUORS. APPLICATION men MAY 4. I916. RENEWED MAR. 12. 1919.

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ALBERT GUSTAV HINzKE, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, AssIGNoE, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'IO AINWELL GORDON MGINTYRE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MANUFACTURE OF BISULFITE LIQUORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, Patented May 13, 1919.

Application filed May 4, 1916, Serial No. 95,395. Renewed March 12, 1919. Serial No. 282,191.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT Ges'nw' of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the continuous production of bisulfite liquor for use in the sulfite pulp paper process. I

As an apparatus, the invention comprises an apparatus which is reversible and selfcleaning and in which the lime Water and the sulfurous gases are brought into intimate contact in a progressive and continuous manner.

As a process, the invention is characterized by the circulation of the lime water and liquor and of the sulfurous gases in opposite directions and the bringing together of the liquor and gases in most intimate con tact, whereby the liquor and gases are caused to react progressively with each other, and whereby a strong liquor is produced with substantially complete absorption and utilization of the sulfurous gases.

The invention will be more particularly described in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrative thereof, in which Figure 1 shows, in central vertical section, an apparatus embodying the inventlon and adapted to the practice of the novel process of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4.4 of Fig. 1; and

. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of one of the flow boxes of Figs. 2, 3 and 4-.

The same reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.

The apparatus illustrated consists of a chamber 1, of concrete or other approprlate construction, subdivided into a number of compartments 2. These compartments are provided with an acid-resisting lining 3 of brick or other material. Certain of the bricks are arranged to form shelves 4 alternating with each other, and i'upon these shelves are supported a series of perforated each other by means of gas openings 8 alternately arranged at the top and bottom of the compartments so that the gases in passing from one opening to the next must pass through the perforated splashboardsin the various compartments. The inlet and outlet openings 8 and 8 are similarly arranged to secure the desired flow of the gases through the end compartments. The gas supply pipe is indicated at 9 and is provided with branches 9 and 9 having controlling valves 10 and 10 therein and communicating respectively with the inletand-outlet openings 8 and 8 The lime Water supply pipe is indicated at 11 and is provided with branches 11 and 11 having suitable controlling valves therein and leading to-the top of the end compartments 2 so that the lime water can be introduced into eitherend compartment, as de sired.

The compartmentsQ at their lower ends are inclined in the direction of the flowboxes 6 and are divided by partitions extending from the front to .near the back so that liquor flowing through each compartment to and from the respective flow-boxes must pass around the partition in a circuitous manner. i

A pipe 13 is provided having branches leading to the tops of the intermediate compartments 2 for conveying thereto the return liquor from the digesters.

. flow-box is also adapted to be divided into five separate compartments. To this end transverse partitions 26, 27 and 28 are arranged transversely in, the flow-box in the manner shown, and a series of removable partitions are adapted to be inserted or removed betigeen the ends of these transverse partitions. Two such partitions, '17 and 19, are shown in place. The places for the other partitions are indicated in dotted liiies at 16 and 18. The longitudinal partitions may be either full height as indicated at 17 in Fig. 5, or only half the height of the box as "indicated at 19 in Fig. 5. By means of these partitions the various compartments of the flow-box can be either separated from, or placed intocommunication with, each other.

In the operation of the apparatus, and in the practice of the process of making the bisulfite liquor therein, the sulfurous gases enter through the pipe 9 into one of the end compartments 2. The apparatus is reversible and accordingly the gases may enter at either end, as. desired.

As illustrated, the valve 10 is opened and the gas enters through the branch 9 and the gas inlet 8 into the left-hand compartment 2. The gas passes up through the perforated shelves or splashboards, and thence into the next compartment where it passes down through the compartment, andso on,

until it finally makes its escape through 8" to the atmosphere or to any suitable place of further treatment or use. It is intended that the sulfurous gas will be completely absorbed and only the exhausted air contained therein leave the last compartment 2.

Lime water enters from the top connection 11 into the top of the rightehand compartment 2 and flows down over and through the perforated shelves or splashboards 5 causing a breaking up thereof into minute particles or fine rain, and thus bringing the liquor .int'o intimate contact with the sulfurous gases to be absorbed.

The lime water which collects in the bottom of the right-hand compartment 2 enters the flow-box 6 through-the pipe 14 and is circulated by the pump 7 to the top of the compartment through the pipe 21 and its branches 22. Continuous circulation of the lime water is thus effected. The liquor also which also communicates with the pump 7 through the pipe 20. Here also, circulation of the liquor to the top. of the compartment is efi'ected in a continuous and progressive manner.

The same or a similar action takes place throughout the other compartments, the lime water and liquor formed therefrom being repeatedly circulated through the same compartment and being continuously and progressively circulated from each compartment to the next through the proper flowbox connections. The arrangement of the partitions in the flow-boxes is such that the flow through the respective boxes and compartments will take place in a progressive manner, as desired, and a sufiicient head of liquid will be maintained in the pump compartments to give a full flow forcirculating purposes. 1

From the end flow-box, the liquor, which has now become bisulfite liquor of the desired strength, enters the branch 24: of the pipe 24: and is pumped by the pump 25 to a suitable storage tank (not shown) or to any suitable place for use.

When it is desired to reverse the apparatus, the branch pipe 9 is closed and the branch pipe 9 opened so that the sulfur-ous gases will enter the right-hand compartment eral direction from left to right through the apparatus and will finally leave through the branch pipe 24. The exhausted air will 'leave the left-hand chamber through the outlet pipe 8.

It will thus be noted that the apparatus is reversible, and that this reversal can be effected in a simple and convenient manner.

It will also be noted that the same intimate intermingling of the liquor or lime water in the form of fine spray or rain with the sulfurous gases to be absorbed is effected upon reversal as {before reversal. By. a

proper regulation of the inflow of lime water 1 and of sulfurous gases, and by the continuous and progressive circulation of the liquor and gas through the various com artments inthe manner described, substantially complete absorption of the sulfurous gases can be readily efiected, and a bisulfite liquor produced of the desired strength.

The provision of the pipes for the return liquors from the digester enables the sulfui'ous acid content thereof to be recovered and returned to the system with the bisulfite liquor formed in the apparatus.

In the production of bisulfite liquor, great care must be taken to exclude air, owing to the formation of calcium sulfate from the calcium bisulfite when air is present. The apparatus and process of the present invention are particularly advantageous because of the ease With which air can be excluded and such sulfate formation prevented.

As compared with the common methods and apparatus of producing bisulfite liquor by forcing the 'sulfurous gases through a body of lime water, or by flowing or showering the sulfurous gases and lime water through a coke tower, or of flowing the gases and water through a tower filled With lime, the method and apparatus of the present invention present the important advantage that the supply of lime water and of the sulfurous gases is continuous, and the formation of the bisulfite also continues, as distin guished from the intermittent operation of the so-called dumping systems, or of the systems which require replenishing of the limestone charge or regenerating of the coke whenit has become clogged. Accordingly, heaters .01- agitators are unnecessary in the system of gressively until the gas is completely absorbed .and the lime water has become a strong solution of bisulfite liquor. The counter-current flow of the lime waterand gases enables the complete absorption of the last of the sulfur dioxid by the strong incoming lime water, while the liquor formed by absorbing the gases from the other compartments is brought to the desired strength by absorption of the strong incoming sulfurous fumes.

Inasmuch as the flow of gas and lime water can be reversed, the system is selfcleaning, in the sense that the crusts which form in time where the gas is absorbed before reaching the chamber where the lime water enters, can, by reversing the flow, be absorbed by the strong liquor and gas fumes then introduced into this portion of the apparatus. This reversal of the flow and the self-cleaning action which is thus effected, makes the apparatus require but a minimum of attention, while a smooth and continuous and regulated supply of the bisulfite liquor can nevertheless be produced. By elevating or lowering the flow boxes and suitably controlling the gas supply and the back pressure at the air outlet, the apparatus may be changed to a pressure system or to a vacuum system as desired.

I claim: I

1. The method of producing bisulfite liquor which comprises flowing the sulfurous gases over a tortuous path through successive compartments, supplying lime Water to the compartments in intimate contact with the gases therein, repeatedly circulating the liquor through each compartment and transferring the liquor progressively from one compartment to the next in a direction opposite to the general direction in which the gases flow through the compartments; substantially as described.

2. The method of producing bisulfite liquor which comprises flowing the sulfurous gases over a tortuous path through successive compartments, supplying lime Water to the compartments in intimate contact with the gases therein, repeatedly circulating the liquor through each compartment and breaking it up into fine particles or spray and thereby bringing the liquor and gases into intimate contact with each other and transferring the liquor progressively from one compartment to the next in a direction opposite to the general direction in which the gases flow through the compartments; substantially as described.

3. The method of producing bisulfite liquor, which comprises flowing lime water and sulfurous gases in opposite directions through a series of compartments, repeatedly circulating the liquor through the separate compartments and bringing the liquor and gases into intimate contact with each other therein, then reversing the flow of lime Water and gases through said apparatus, and flowing the lime Water and gases through the compartments in the opposite directions and bringing the same into intimate contact with each other, whereby the removal is effected of any encrustations formed before the reversal of the flow; sub stantially as described.

4:. An apparatus for the production of hisulfite liquor, comprising a series of compartments communicating with each other, means for effecting the flow therethroughin opposite directions of lime water and sulfurous gases and of bringing the liquor and gases into intimate contact with each other in the difierent compartments, and means for reversing the flow of said liquor and gases through said compartments; substantially as described.

5. An apparatus for the production of bisulfite liquor comprising a series of compartments, means for efiecting the How of sulfurous gases over a tortuous path through successive compartments, means for supplying lime water to the compartments in inti for efiecting repeated circulation of the liquor through each'compartment to bring the gases and liquor therein into intimate" contact, and means for transferring the liquor continuously and progressively from one compartment to the next in a direction opposite to the general direction inwhich the sulfurous gases flow through' the compartments; substantially as described. I,

6. An apparatus for the production of bisulfite liquor, comprising a compartment provided with a series of perforated splashboards therein arranged at different levels, means for flowing therethrough the sulfurous gases and lime water, and means for repeatedly circulating the liquor through said compartment and for bringing the circulated liquor repeatedly into intimate con tact with the gases to be absorbed; sub- .stantially as described. J i v 7. An apparatus for the production of bisulfite liquor, comprising a series of closed compartments adapted to be operated either under pressure or under a vacuum, means,

for effecting the flow therethrough in opposite directions of lime water and sulfurous gases and for bringing the liquor and gases into intimate contact with each other in the separate compartments, and'means for reversing the flow of the liquor and gasesthrough said compartments; substantially as descri ed. 1 v

8; An apparatus for the production of bisulfite liquor, comprising a series of compartments provided with means for circulating therethrou h in opposite directions lime water and sul urou gases, a series'of perforated splashboards incach compartment, flow-boxes communicating with each of said compartments, means for circulating from said flowbox: to the top ofthe respective compartments the liquor contained therein,

means connecting the'fiow-boxes permitting the flow of liquor from each compartment to the next, and means for reversing the flow of lime water and sulfurous gases through said compartment and of the liquor from said flow-boxes to each other and to their respective compartments; substantially as described.

9. 'An apparatus for the production of bisulfite liquor comprising a series of compartments, means for effecting the flow therethrough of sulfurous gases, means for supplying lime Water to the compartments, means within the compartments for breaking the lime water up into fine particles or spray, fpumps for effecting repeated circulation 0 the liquor through each compartment to bring the gases and liquor therein into intimate contact, and flow boxes associated with each compartment and so constructed and connected to each other that the liquor may be transferred continuously and progressively from one compartment to the next in a direction opposite to the general direction in which the sulfurous gases flow through the compartments; substantially as described.

10. An apparatus for the production of bisulfite liquor comprising a series of compartments provided with means for circulating therethrough in opposite directions lime water and sulfurous gases, a series of perforated splashboards in each compartment, flow boxes communicating with each of said compartments, means for circulating from each flow-box to the top of the respective compartments the liquor contained therein, and means connecting'the flow boxes permitting the flow ofliquor from each compartment to the next; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALBERT GUSTAV HINZKE. 

